Clamshell package including both permanent and resealable fastening structure

ABSTRACT

A clamshell package for holding and displaying a product including first and second outer clamshell members each having three dimensionally shaped pocket areas for holding a portion of the product. The clamshell members also each include respective sealing portions which may be sealed together in a permanent manner. The package further includes selectively engageable fastening structure disposed on the first and second outer clamshell members generally adjacent the first and second sealing portions. When the sealing portions are removed, such as by cutting off the sealing portions, the selectively engageable fastening structure may be used to allow subsequent selective access to the product. A hinge portion may also be provided and may be formed from a pair of the sealing portions of the clamshell members to allow hinged movement of the clamshell members after other sealing portions have been removed by the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to packages forcontaining and displaying products and, more specifically, to so-calledclamshell packages having two halves typically formed of plastic andsealed together prior to purchase use by a retail consumer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Clamshell or blister pack packaging is a very popular type ofpackaging for many consumer products, including electrical andelectronic products, such as portable compact disc players, cassetterecorders or players and other portable audio or video products. Quiteoften, the clamshell packaging is designed to be theft resistant whilealso enabling the product design and features to be clearly displayed tothe consumer at the retail level. However, while achieving theseobjectives, this type of packaging can be very difficult to open foryoung and old consumers alike. Typically, the consumer must usescissors, a knife or another device with a sharp cutting edge to openthe package and, even in such cases, many packages can still bedifficult to open.

[0003] It would therefore be desirable to provide a clamshell packagethat is both permanently sealable, for example, for shipment and retaildisplay purposes and to provide theft resistance, but which issubsequently usable in a resealable manner by the consumer. It wouldfurther be desirable to provide a clamshell package that is easier forconsumers to open than previous clamshell package and blister packdesigns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention generally provides a clamshell package forholding and displaying a product in which first and second outerclamshell members may be initially permanently sealed together and,subsequently, affixed to one another by a consumer in a selectivelyengageable manner to allow selective access to the product. In onepreferred configuration, the first outer clamshell member includes afirst three dimensional pocket area for holding a portion of the productand a second outer clamshell member having a second three dimensionalpocket area for holding another portion of the product. Each of thefirst and second outer clamshell members include a removable sealingportion with the removable sealing portions adapted to be permanentlysealed together to hold the product between the clamshell members. Infurther accordance with the invention, selectively engageble fasteningstructure is disposed on the first and second outer clamshell membersgenerally adjacent the first and second sealing portions when thesealing portions are sealed to each other. The first and second sealingportions may be removed such that the consumer may then selectivelyengage and disengage the fastening structure to allow selective accessto the product and reuse of the clamshell package.

[0005] Although other sealing methods may be used, one preferred manneris to heat seal or ultrasonically seal the sealing portions together,while another option may be to adhesively secure the sealing portionstogether. Each method results in a permanent connection between theclamshell members. The selectively engageable fastening structure mayalso have many different configurations. In general, it is desirable toprovide fastening structure of the type enabling a simple snap-fit orfrictional fit of the two clamshell members together. For example, thefastening structure may comprise at least one bead disposed along aperipheral portion of one of the first and second outer clamshellmembers and a mating recess disposed along a corresponding peripheralportion of the other clamshell member. One or more beads may then beselectively received in a corresponding one or more recesses toselectively open and close the clamshell members. Optionally, theclamshell members may simply have respective inner and outer surfacesthat nest together in either a snap-fit or frictional fitting manner.Other connection methods and structures are possible as well.

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of beads aredisposed about respective peripheral portions of one of the outerclamshell members and a corresponding plurality of mating recesses aredisposed about respective peripheral portions of the other clamshellmember. This can allow, for example, the use of a hinge portion betweentwo of the beads and recesses such that the consumer may open and closethe clamshells using the hinge portion and engage the beads and recesseswith one another to close the clamshell. Other configurations using ahinge structure and one or more selectively engageable fasteningstructures are within the scope of this invention as well. In thepreferred embodiment, the hinge portion is formed at least in part byrespective sealing portions of the first and second outer clamshellmembers and is disposed along an upper peripheral portion of theclamshell members. One or more cutting indicator lines may be disposedadjacent at least one of the first and second sealing portions so that aconsumer may use scissors or other means to remove the sealing portions.This cutting indicator line may comprise a series of perforations andthe same series of perforations may be used as a hinge line when a hingeportion is utilized in the clamshell package. In the preferredembodiment, the first and second sealing portions are disposedperipherally outside of the fastening structure and the cuttingindicator line or lines are disposed between the sealing portions andthe selectively engageable fastening structure.

[0007] In one embodiment, three separate pairs of sealing portions areutilized around the periphery of the clamshell members, with one of thesealing portions capable of being left in place by the consumer toprovide the hinge portion. In another embodiment, the sealing portionextends around at least substantially the entire periphery withoutdesignating a specific hinge portion to be optionally left intact by theconsumer. In each case, the sealing portions are easily removable by theconsumer, for example, with a pair of scissors, to leave the selectivelyengageable fastening structure intact to enable further, selectiveaccess to the product by the consumer or others.

[0008] These and other objects, advantages and features of the inventionwill become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artupon review of the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamshell package constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a fragmented corner ofthe package being cut with scissors;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG.1 schematically illustrating the hinged opening and closing capability;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a clamshell package constructed inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmented view of a lower corner of theclamshell package shown in FIG. 5; and

[0015]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.In this embodiment, a clamshell package 10 includes first and secondclamshell members or halves 12, 14 each with respective threedimensionally shaped pocket areas 12 a, 14 a for receiving a product(not shown). Preferably, clamshell members 12, 14 are formed fromcompletely transparent plastic, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC). Firstand second clamshell members 12, 14 include respective flanges 16, 18that are preferably heat sealed, ultrasonically sealed or adhesivelysealed together in a permanent manner. Peripherally inside of flanges16, 18, a selectively engageable fastening structure 24 is provided and,as one of many possibilities, comprises a bead 20 contained with asnap-fit or frictional fit within a recess 22, as best shown in FIG. 3.A hinge portion 28 comprises another sealing area and a plurality ofsets of perforations 30, 32, 34 are disposed respectively betweensealing areas 19, 28 and 35 and the selectively engageable fasteningstructures 24, 26.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, sealing area 19 comprises a first sealingportion 19 a on clamshell member 12 and a second sealing portion 19 b onclamshell member 14, wherein the sealing portions 19 a, 19 b have asubstantially confronting relationship. Sealing area 28 comprises afirst sealing portion 28 a on clamshell member 12 and a second sealingportion 28 b on clamshell member 14, wherein the sealing portions 28 a,28 b have a substantially confronting relationship. Sealing area 35comprises a first sealing portion 35 a on clamshell member 12 and asecond sealing portion 35 b on clamshell member 14, wherein the sealingportions 35 a, 35 b have a substantially confronting relationship.Sealing portions 19 a, 28 a and 35 a are located near respectiveperipheral edges 16 a, 16 b and 16 c of flange 16 on clamshell member12. Sealing portions 19 b, 28 b and 35 b are located near respectiveperipheral edges 18 a, 18 b, and 18 c of flange 18 on clamshell member14.

[0018] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, a consumer may use a pair ofscissors 36, or another cutting method, to remove sealing areas 19, 28and 35 by cutting along perforations 30, 32 and 34. Alternatively, oneof the sealing areas 19, 28, 35 may be left intact, such as sealing area28, to provide a hinge portion for allowing selective opening andclosing of clamshell package 10, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, thelower edge of clamshell package 10 between clamshell members 12, 14 maybe left unsealed during packaging such that it may be opened as shown inFIG. 4.

[0019] Alternatively, the lower edge may likewise include a sealing areawhich may be cut off or otherwise removed in a manner similar to theother sealing areas shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] As further shown in FIG. 1, clamshell member 12 may include oneor more feet 38, 40 for allowing clamshell package 10 to freely stand inan upright position as shown for display purposes. As an alternativemanner of displaying clamshell package 10, an aperture 42 may beprovided for receiving a display hook. A lower edge 44 formed at thebottom of clamshell members 12, 14 may provide additional support forallowing package 10 to be free-standing.

[0021] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5-7. Inthis embodiment, a clamshell package 50 again includes first and secondclamshell members 52, 54, which are each preferably transparent as inthe first embodiment. Each of the first and second clamshell members 52,54 includes a three dimensionally shaped pocket area 52 a, 54 a. Unlikethe first embodiment, a continuous sealing area 56 is provided at leastsubstantially around the entire periphery of package 50. Preferably,sealing area 56 is formed as a continuous flange. Although not shown inthe drawings, this sealing area may also be extended along the bottomedge of package 50. Sealing area 56 is preferably comprised ofrespective sealing portions or flanges 58, 60 of the clamshell members52, 54. A line of continuous perforations is provided peripherallyinside of sealing area 56 for providing a cutting indicator line for theconsumer or other user.

[0022] As further shown in FIG. 7, selectively engageable fasteningstructure 64 is provided peripherally inside of perforations 62 suchthat, when sealing area 56 has been cut off or otherwise removed by theuser, first and second clamshell members 52, 54 may be selectivelyengaged and disengaged with respect to one another to provide selectiveaccess to the product (not shown) contained therein. In this embodiment,selectively engageable fastening structure 64 simply comprises a nestingstructure in which an inner surface 66 of clamshell member 52 engages anouter surface 68 of clamshell member 54 such that clamshell member 54nests within a portion of clamshell member 52. As will be furtherunderstood from FIG. 7, when sealing area 56 is removed by cutting alongperforations 62, clamshell members 52, 54 may be engaged and disengagedwith a frictional fit.

[0023] Referring again to FIG. 5, as with the first embodiment, a hookaperture 74 may be provided in an upper portion of package 50 and a pairof feet 76, 78 may be provided on one of the clamshell members, such asclamshell member 52, to allow package 50 to be a free-standingstructure.

[0024] Again, a lower edge 80 may additionally be provided to lendadditional support for the upstanding package 50.

[0025] While the present invention has been illustrated by a descriptionof the preferred embodiments and while these embodiments have beendescribed in some detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. This has been a description of the presentinvention, along with the preferred methods of practicing the presentinvention as currently known. Various aspects of this invention may beused alone or in different combinations.

The scope of the invention itself should only be defined by the appendedclaims, wherein I claim:
 1. A clamshell package for holding anddisplaying a product, the package comprising: a first outer clamshellmember having a first three dimensional pocket area for holding aportion of a product and further having a first removable sealingportion, a second outer clamshell member having a second threedimensional pocket area for holding another portion of said product andfurther having a second removable sealing portion adapted to be sealedto said first sealing portion, and selectively engageable fasteningstructure disposed on the first and second outer clamshell membersgenerally adjacent said first and second sealing portions when saidsealing portions are sealed to each other, said first and second sealingportions being disposed with respect to said fastening structure suchthat, when said sealing portions are removed, said fastening structuremay be engaged and disengaged to allow selective access to the product.2. The clamshell package of claim 1 , wherein said first and secondsealing portions are heat sealed together.
 3. The clamshell package ofclaim 1 , wherein said first and second sealing portions are adhesivelysecured together.
 4. The clamshell package of claim 1 , wherein saidselectively engageable fastening structure further comprises at leastone bead disposed along a peripheral portion of one of said first andsecond outer clamshell members and at least one mating recess disposedalong a corresponding peripheral portion of the other of said first andsecond outer clamshell members.
 5. The clamshell package of claim 4further comprising a plurality of said beads disposed about respectiveperipheral portions of said one outer clamshell member and acorresponding plurality of mating recesses disposed about respectiveperipheral portions of said other outer clamshell member.
 6. Theclamshell package of claim 1 further including a hinge portionconnecting respective peripheral portions of said first and second outerclamshell members to allow selective opening and closing of saidclamshells along said hinge portion by disengaging and engaging saidfastening structure.
 7. The clamshell package of claim 6 , wherein saidhinge portion is formed at least in part by the first and second sealingportions of said first and second outer clamshell members.
 8. Theclamshell package of claim 7 , wherein said hinge portion is disposedalong an upper peripheral portion of said first and second outerclamshell members.
 9. The clamshell package of claim 7 furthercomprising a series of perforations generally extending adjacent saidfirst and second sealing portions to provide a cutting indicator linefor removing said first and second sealing portions.
 10. The clamshellpackage of claim 7 further comprising respective pairs of said removablesealing portions on opposite sides of said first and second outerclamshell members, wherein the sealing portions on the opposite sidesmay be removed leaving the hinge portion in place.
 11. The clamshellpackage of claim 1 , wherein the selectively engageable fasteningstructure further comprises respective inner and outer surfaces of saidfirst and second outer clamshell members, said inner and outer surfacesnesting together in a selectively engageable manner.
 12. The clamshellpackage of claim 1 further comprising a lower surface on at least one ofsaid first and second outer clamshell members, said lower surfaceincluding support structure allowing the first and second outerclamshell members to be free-standing when secured together with aproduct contained therein.
 13. The clamshell package of claim 1 ,wherein said first and second sealing portions are disposed peripherallyoutside of said fastening structure.
 14. A clamshell package for holdingand displaying a product, the package comprising: a first outerclamshell member having a first three dimensional pocket area forholding a portion of a product and further having a first plurality ofremovable sealing portions, a second outer clamshell member having asecond three dimensional pocket area for holding another portion of saidproduct and further having a second plurality of removable sealingportions adapted to be respectively sealed to said first plurality ofremovable sealing portions, selectively engageable fastening structuredisposed on the first and second outer clamshell members generallyadjacent said first and second sealing portions when said sealingportions are sealed to each other, said first and second sealingportions being disposed with respect to said fastening structure suchthat, when said sealing portions are removed, said fastening structuremay be engaged and disengaged to allow selective access to the product,and a cutting indicator line disposed adjacent at least one of theplurality of first and second sealing portions for indicating where acut may be made to remove said one of the plurality of first and secondsealing portions after sealing thereof.
 15. The clamshell package ofclaim 14 , wherein said first and second sealing portions are heatsealed together.
 16. The clamshell package of claim 14 , wherein saidfirst and second sealing portions are adhesively secured together. 17.The clamshell package of claim 14 , wherein said selectively engageablefastening structure further comprises at least one bead disposed along aperipheral portion of one of said first and second outer clamshellmembers and at least one mating recess disposed along a correspondingperipheral portion of the other of said first and second outer clamshellmembers.
 18. The clamshell package of claim 17 further comprising aplurality of said beads disposed about respective peripheral portions ofsaid one outer clamshell member and a corresponding plurality of matingrecesses disposed about respective peripheral portions of said otherouter clamshell member.
 19. The clamshell package of claim 14 furtherincluding a hinge portion connecting respective peripheral portions ofsaid first and second outer clamshell members to allow selective openingand closing of said clamshells along said hinge portion by disengagingand engaging said fastening structure.
 20. The clamshell package ofclaim 19 , wherein said hinge portion is formed at least in part by thefirst and second sealing portions of said first and second outerclamshell members.
 21. The clamshell package of claim 20 , wherein saidhinge portion is disposed along an upper peripheral portion of saidfirst and second outer clamshell members.
 22. The clamshell package ofclaim 19 further comprising respective pairs of removable sealingportions on opposite sides of said first and second outer clamshellmembers, wherein the sealing portions on the opposite sides may beremoved leaving the hinge portion in place.
 23. The clamshell package ofclaim 14 , wherein said cutting indicator line further comprises aseries of perforations.
 24. The clamshell package of claim 14 , whereinsaid fastening structure further comprises respective inner and outersurfaces of said first and second outer clamshell members, said innerand outer surfaces nesting together in a selectively engageable manner.25. The clamshell package of claim 14 further comprising a lower surfaceon at least one of said first and second outer clamshell members, saidlower surface including support structure allowing the first and secondouter clamshell members to be free-standing when secured together with aproduct contained therein.
 26. The clamshell package of claim 14 ,wherein said first and second sealing portions are disposed peripherallyoutside of said fastening structure.
 27. A clamshell package for holdingand displaying a product, the package comprising: a first outerclamshell member having a periphery and a first three dimensional pocketarea for holding a portion of the product and further having a firstremovable sealing flange extending around at least substantially theentire periphery of said first outer clamshell member, a second outerclamshell member having a periphery and a second three dimensionalpocket area for holding another portion of the product and furtherhaving a second removable sealing flange adapted to be respectivelysealed to said first sealing flange and extending around at leastsubstantially the entire periphery of said second outer clamshellmember, selectively engageable fastening structure disposed on the firstand second outer clamshell members generally adjacent said first andsecond sealing flanges when said sealing flanges are sealed to eachother, said first and second sealing flanges being disposed with respectto said fastening structure such that, when said sealing flanges areremoved, said fastening structure may be engaged and disengaged to allowselective access to the product, and a cutting indicator line disposedon at least one of said flanges adjacent at least one of theperipherally outside of the selectively engageable fastening structurefor indicating where a cut may be made to remove said first and secondsealing flanges after sealing thereof.
 28. The clamshell package ofclaim 27 , wherein said cutting indicator line comprises a series ofperforations.
 29. The clamshell package of claim 28 , wherein saidperforations extend along two opposite side edges and a top edge of saidpackage.
 30. The clamshell package of claim 27 , wherein the selectivelyengageable fastening structure further comprises respective inner andouter surfaces of said first and second outer clamshell members, saidinner and outer surfaces nesting together in a selectively engageablemanner.